Tag Archives: treasures

Relationship or Religiosity – Two Dreams

leejohndrowteamLast night was one of my more “unusual” dream nights. As I awoke around three, one of my dreams had been simultaneous with a second dream. It was if I was watching two programs on different TV’s at opposite ends of the building. Not just two dreams, but I was not even in the same place as each was occurring.

The first dream had to with people who were under siege. They had watched their community slowly give in to a company and its unethical treatment of employees, its surroundings and the community. New signs and stoplights appeared to “regulate” the traffic. New restaurants and stores in keeping with the people of the workplace, but out of touch with the average citizen. Roads began to deteriorate with the traffic in and out. At first it was guards but not too long after it was security walking the streets. There was talk of a new “police” force. Continue reading Relationship or Religiosity – Two Dreams

Live For 1,000 Years?

"Use me!"
“Use me!”

I woke up this morning and thought, “I will use the beginnings of what I sketched out for today” but for some reason the task of that thought process is daunting. I looked at it and felt my “energy” level too low to accomplish. Not sure why. Did not stay up very late. My dreams were “rough” but not abnormal. My dreams are still in “ponder” mode.

I thought maybe I would table the thoughts of the last week or so where I have posed some questions I felt needed to be asked of myself as well as perhaps by others, but reading a friend’s post brought a topic near and dear to my heart. So, I will jump off her thoughts. Continue reading Live For 1,000 Years?

Waiting For The Right Time

It is more than just a place to go. It may be how you get there.
It is more than just a place to go. It may be how you get there.

Too often we find ourselves waiting for the right time. When this happens I will do this. When that happens I will do that. The difficulty is we find ourselves waiting for a day or a circumstance or a sign.

As a believer my life is seated in heavenly places outside the realms or constraints of time. And if my life is in heavenly places, with no time, then the question can be posed, what am I waiting for?

Over the years inside and outside the church people are holding on to various things. Some real, some superstitious, some perceived. For instance, in the world we look for signs of good fortune or good luck. We might visit our favorite Chinese restaurant and indulge in a meal, followed by what the world has deigned fortune cookies and I think of as prophecy cookies. Either way we tear open a plastic wrapped morsel, breaking the cookie to read a small white piece of paper. It matters little what is said, but if you have been waiting or hoping, you may well find an answer. (God is not constrained by our narrow minded thinking…he used a donkey!)

What is at the heart of it, is you are looking for direction. Your comfort zone may be undergoing rehabilitation. I get it! You may feel you need more than direction, that you need encouragement.

I thought about this last night. I was waiting for my wife to arrive with my grandchildren. While preparing dinner, I would walk over to the window and look down to the parking area. When they got here, I wanted them to see me looking at them, ringing them in. Why? Because I want them to know I have expectancy!

I thought just like the father of the prodigal son who waited each day. Probably in the same place, walking back and forth perhaps, providing himself with the best view of where his son might come from. I am sure that there were many days where a tear ran down his face. Days where he questioned his parenting ability. Days where he might have cried out. Days where other family members and servants noticed his disappointment.

When we are waiting for an answer, we go through waves of emotions and turmoil. A few weeks ago, I simply said to God, “I am not taking another step. I have done what I believe to be right. I have done all that I know how to do.” Weeks later, nothing has changed, but I can say I am OK.

I am not looking for a sign or a circumstance. I am looking for Him. When I say that, I mean this. I am open to whatever manner, shape or form God would like to use to provide me with an answer. When I get on something, I cannot move away from it. I become one with the “answer” who in this case is the ANSWER. It is Him. I am not looking for a sign nor am I tossing a fleece. What appeals to my emotions may not be right for me long term. (I am not throwing away emotions!)

I do, however look to whatever way, shape or form God may desire to speak to me. I am open to His answer. I may see things during the course of the day that emphasize or enhance what I believe God is already saying to me. God is speaking a lot. He uses creation, He uses friends and He uses a lot, but the really neat part of it all, is “I know His voice!” When He speaks in whatever manner, I am convinced of what He may be saying. I am not throwing out a rope and hoping He catches it and pulls me up but I simply believe He has endowed me with His goodness, with His nature. And the more I focus on how good He is to me, the less I rely on alternative methods to reduce my discomfort or release my worries. When he tells me to “be anxious for nothing” I can take that to the “bank.”

So, is there a right time? I think there may be. It is probably when you recognize how good He is, how amazing His preparation is and how wonderful His habitation is. (You!) When this is determined you then realize that you are comfortable in Him and everything starts to click into place. It is not a situation or a circumstance that has set you free from the bondage, making you free, but it is Him. Devotion or focusing on Him makes the rest all fit together.

To answer the other question of what am I waiting for, my answer is simply nothing. Oh, I understand the chiros moments in one’s life and the seasons, but when we recognize our wrapped up position with Him, we see that it is all ours, all now. There is on the horizon a seasonless existence. One freed of the constraints of time. When we see that we have become ONE with Him, we recognize the needlessness of seeking a situation or an answer. (I am not saying stop what you are doing and give up. Do what He has called you to do.)

I feel I must add this. I see too many who are wrapped up in their gift, focused on their destiny, when in fact there is a rest He provided from that as well. When you learn to rest in Him, your destiny is not the destination but the place He is going WITH you. When you find yourself anxious about where you are going or what you might do when you get there, you will find yourself missing out on the excitement of being in the moment with Him. While you are headed down the road to grandma’s house, He is wanting to show you the rocks and the pebbles that David that were hidden from the days of Noah. He wants to show you the beauty of the flowers, the freedom of the butterflies, the song of the birds and rustle of the creatures.  H wants to hold your hand and hang out. You will get to grandmas. But you will miss the experience of being with Him.

Do not trade the treasures of today for the thoughts of tomorrow. His blessings and mercies are new EVERY morning.